Receiver L.J. Reed, listed at 6 feet, 3 inches and 240 pounds, is among the true freshmen who could make an impact for the Bulldogs this season. The Sacramento native is as large as any of Fresno State’s tight ends.
CRAIG KOHLRUSS
ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

Receiver L.J. Reed, listed at 6 feet, 3 inches and 240 pounds, is among the true freshmen who could make an impact for the Bulldogs this season. The Sacramento native is as large as any of Fresno State’s tight ends.
CRAIG KOHLRUSS
ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

Warszawski: 25 questions and answers about Fresno State football team

Questions, so many questions. There are 25 days from Sunday to Fresno State’s Sept. 3 opener at Bulldog Stadium, and I’ve got a question for every one of them.

Who are these guys? To be blunt, we don’t know. Not yet. Even though the depth chart lists seven returning starters on offense and seven more on defense, there is an unfamiliarity about this group. It’s also awfully young. Twenty-five of the 47 players listed on the preseason depth chart are freshmen or sophomores.

When will they name a starting quarterback? I doubt we’ll see a repeat of last season when the coaching staff tried to keep everyone (including USC) guessing until the last possible moment. Which, in retrospect, was rather unnecessary. The third and final scrimmage is Aug. 24. Ten days before the opener. Look for coach Tim DeRuyter to make the announcement shortly after that.

Can Marteze Waller handle a bigger workload? The senior tailback is Fresno State’s best player — no arguments — and looks even more explosive in fall camp. Waller’s 215-pound frame suggests he could handle more than the 16 carries per game he saw last season (San Diego State’s 180-pound Donnel Pumphrey averaged 21) but that durability has yet to be proven. When Waller got 22 carries in the first half against San Jose State, he injured a shoulder and did not return.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.

16 Carries per game last season for Bulldogs’ Marteze Waller, a light load for a workhorse back

Will Malique Micenheimer stay healthy? When the 243-pounder suffered a season-ending shoulder injury Week 3, it prevented the Bulldogs from running a lot of their two-back sets. He’s still the closest thing on this roster to a fullback.

Is quarterback Zack Greenlee a leader? It isn’t fair to compare Greenlee to the rah-rah, follow-me-over-the-next-mountain style of Derek Carr. The sophomore is far too laid back for that. But Greenlee’s teammates seem to respect him. That’s the most important thing.

Will Chason Virgil redshirt? Not necessarily. The true freshman is holding his own in the quarterback battle and looks a little more sturdy out there having bulked up to 185 pounds.

How does Ford Childress look? A little rusty, which is to be expected for any quarterback who hasn’t played in nearly two years.

Who is likely to emerge among the young receivers? Redshirt freshmen KeeSean Johnson and Keyan Williams are the two who catch my eye. Johnson has a smooth, flowing style with the ability to break big plays. Williams is so naturally shifty he jukes defenders even while running straight ahead.

Will the light turn on for Aaron Peck? Some guys need the urgency of their senior seasons to begin fulfilling their potential. At least once during every practice Peck makes a catch that reminds onlookers of his.

Will the light turn on for Aaron Peck? Some guys need the urgency of their senior seasons to begin fulfilling their potential. At least once during every practice Peck makes a catch that reminds onlookers of his.

Is Chad Olsen as cool as he looks? Yes.

How’s the depth along the offensive line? Not great. Last season Fresno State was one of nine FBS teams that started the same players in all of their games. Better hope for a repeat.

Has Justin Northern improved his pass blocking? Make no mistake, the senior right tackle is one of the Bulldogs’ top linemen. But too many times last season (Utah and Wyoming especially) Northern was unable to prevent the opposing team’s best pass rusher from wreaking havoc.

What happened to the rest of Micah St. Andrew? A year ago, St. Andrew was a freshman walk-on who weighed about 380 pounds. Today he’s listed at 327, earned a scholarship and could very well be starting at right guard.

How can a poor defense be expected to improve after losing its three best players? The easy answer: It takes 11 guys. So even without Tyeler Davison, Derron Smith and Donavon Lewis, there’s an expectation that improvement by the returning starters and contributions from youngsters getting their first crack at playing time will make up for those personnel losses.

Is this wishful thinking? Perhaps.

Whose absence will be most glaring? Davison’s. Sophomore nose guard Nathan Madsen gets better all the time but cannot be expected to handle things up front like his predecessor.

Who on the D-line can pick up the slack? Todd Hunt. The Bulldogs got just 8.5 tackles for losses last season from their defensive ends, a preposterously low total. Hunt is the most experienced member of that unit. It’s up to him to be more productive.

8.5 Tackles for losses last season by Fresno State defensive ends, a very low total

Can Ejiro Ederaine return to his 2013 level? Not sure how anyone can rush the passer without any strength and leverage from either shoulder. Ederaine tried last season — and struggled. His return to double-digit sack totals is a key to this defense.

Is the secondary still a weak spot? Until proven otherwise, yes. But this group definitely has more depth than a year ago and appears to be developing a tougher, more aggressive mindset under position coach Marcus Woodson and graduate assistant Ricky Manning.

How healthy is Charles Washington? Still uncertain. The senior cornerback is practicing coming off abdominal core surgery but appears less than 100%.

Will the Bulldogs be able to attempt a field goal beyond 40 yards without wincing? Nothing wrong with the job Kody Kroening did as a freshman walk-on, but there wasn’t much confidence in the kicking game a year ago. Riverside City College transfer Jimmy Camacho is supposed to change all that.

Which true freshmen will make contributions? Besides Virgil, whose role has yet to be determined, the best bets are inside linebacker Nela Otukolo and receiver L.J. Reed, who is listed at 6-3 and 240 pounds. Which on this team practically makes Reed at tight end.

Does DeRuyter feel pressure to win in light of the proposed renovations to Bulldog Stadium that will require oodles and oodles of donated dollars? Yes, but no more so than usual.

Does that pressure trickle down to the players? No.

Who will be under center on the first play against Abilene Christian? Uh, uh, too soon to say. Next question.